Susan Berg, dementia expert, shares practical help for caregivers of those with dementia including easy to do activities

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Alzheimer’s vax eliminated plaque, not dementia

Researchers are trying to find out why a vaccine for Alzheimer's would be able to eliminate the beta-amyloid plaque long considered responsible for the disease without actually curing the disease. British scientists tracked patients in the vaccine study for years and performed autopsies on seven volunteers who died during the study. Nearly all the beta-amyloid had been eliminated, but all of the patients suffered severe dementia at the time of their death.

"It may be that these toxic plaques trigger the neurodegeneration, but don't have an ongoing role," said Clive Holmes of the University of Southampton, lead author.